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How To Restore Faded Fiberglass: Care And Maintenance

By Jennifer Cook


Unlike decades ago when the boats were made of wood and metals, almost all pleasure boats are made of fiberglass today. They give better final products, are easier to make, and weighs less in comparison to wood and metal. They are also known to last for a very long time, and it is no surprise that all boat owners prefer them over any other material. In order to maintain the beauty and elegance of your pleasure boat, you need the tips on how to restore faded fiberglass using waxes, polishes, and the sealers.

The process starts with cleaning. This should be done thoroughly to make sure that the surface is ready for the next step. In order to clean, just add one cup of a cleaning detergent to a gallon of warm water for better results. Stir to form a solution. A sponge is then used to wash the surface. Should the surface have mildew, the household bleach added to the solution is used to remove tough stains.

The restoration process starts with a thorough cleaning. This can be done simply by mixing detergent with water and then use a sponge to wash the surface with the resulting solution. A cup of household bleach is added to aid in removing mildew. In order to remove difficult stains, the direct application of concentrated cleaner that is specifically formulated for fiberglass is the answer.

After this, consider waxing the fiberglass. Normally, a new surface is waxed. The best way to maintain it is to always have it waxed. This is the sure way of prolonging the life of the gelcoat. Regular waxing can help keep it gloss for up to fifteen years or more. The wax also comes with the added benefit of restorative property, particularly if the gelcoat is not badly weathered.

Polish is an abrasive and not a coating. It works like a very fine sandpaper and is used to remove pitted surface. The procedure involves applying polish to a small area at a time using a soft cloth, then rubbing in a circular motion. This should leave a glassy surface. Polish does not offer any protection, and sealers or any other protective coating needs to be applied after polishing to prevent future oxidation.

For this reason, the fiberglass sealers are often used as alternatives. They tend to penetrate into the gelcoat surface so that the microscopic holes and crevices are filled thereby preventing any further oxidation. This results to a brighter shine as compared to the use of wax and polish. They also offer a harder surface that is long-lasting and less need for maintenance.

Waxing should be the last step. It is used to offer the barrier between the elements and the gelcoat surface. If applied regularly, it can keep the boat in good condition for a long time. However, for older and faded boats, it is the last procedure after cleaning, polishing, and the application of sealers. It traps air in the microscopic surface crevices and holes allowing oxidation to continue after a while. This is the reason behind fading just after a month or two after cleaning and waxing. This put emphasis on the polishing and the sealers application.

First, apply it on the surface, after which a power buffer is then used. It results to a uniform color. In case it does not give a shiny finish, the surface is normally polished. The polish gives the final shine that you are looking for. The wax should always follow polishing, a good paste wax is enough to give the surface a new finish, similar to that in the showroom.




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